This article originally appeared in MindBodyGreen.
While it may be an overstated sentiment, this year has been unprecedented, and the holiday season will be no exception. To avoid large gatherings and travel, many people will be spending the holidays alone for the first time. While it can be hard to come to terms with at first, there are still plenty of joyful and festive ways to celebrate solo:
1. Make family recipes.
More often than not, people assume spending a holiday alone means forgoing the usual holiday feast. But that doesn't have to be the case. Sure, the portions will be smaller, but that doesn't mean you can't make yourself a delectable spread. If you'd rather avoid the stress of holiday cooking, choose your favorite Thanksgiving side dish and dedicate your time to perfecting that recipe. Either order the rest of the meal from a local restaurant, or eat the side on its own—yes, mashed potatoes can qualify as dinner on the holidays.